Two α subunits and one β subunit of meprin zinc-endopeptidases are differentially expressed in the zebrafish Danio rerio
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Andre Schütte
Abstract
Meprins are members of the astacin family of metalloproteases expressed in epithelial tissues, intestinal leukocytes and certain cancer cells. In mammals, there are two homologous subunits, which form complex glycosylated disulfide-bonded homo- and heterooligomers. Both human meprin α and meprin β cleave several basement membrane components, suggesting a role in epithelial differentiation and cell migration. There is also evidence that meprin β is involved in immune defence owing to its capability of activating interleukin-1β and the diminished mobility of intestinal leukocytes in meprin β-knockout mice. Here we show for the first time by reverse transcription PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses that meprins are expressed not only in mammals, but also in the zebrafish Danio rerio. In contrast to the human, mouse and rat enzymes, zebrafish meprins are encoded by three genes, corresponding to two homologous α subunits and one β subunit. Observations at both the mRNA and protein level indicate a broad distribution of meprins in zebrafish. However, there are strikingly different expression patterns of the three subunits, which is consistent with meprin expression in mammals. Hence, D. rerio appears to be a suitable model to gain insight into the basic physiological functions of meprin metalloproteases.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Mid-region parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and gene expression of MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells
- Characterization of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase encoded by open reading frame Rv1014c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv
- Calcium signalling in the regulation of PGC-1α, PDK4 and HKII mRNA expression
- Expression of the protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor KEPI is downregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues and involved in the regulation of the tumor suppressor EGR1 via the MEK-ERK pathway
- Nitric oxide modulates expression of extracellular matrix genes linked to fibrosis in kidney mesangial cells
- Discovery and characterization of human antibody inhibitors of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A
- The protease domain of procollagen C-proteinase (BMP1) lacks substrate selectivity, which is conferred by non-proteolytic domains
- Two α subunits and one β subunit of meprin zinc-endopeptidases are differentially expressed in the zebrafish Danio rerio
- Increase in kinins on post-exercise hypotension in normotensive and hypertensive volunteers
- Inhibition of cathepsin L-like proteases by cathepsin V propeptide
- Clinical chemistry reference database for Wistar rats and C57/BL6 mice